Injection port and method of making the same

Abstract

An injection port for an intravenous bag including a generally hollow tube that is mountable to the intravenous bag. The hollow tube has a first end. A polymeric plug is mounted in the first end. The polymeric plug is integrally molded into the tube proximate the first end. A method for constructing the injection port including injecting a first molding material into a mold cavity, allowing the first molding material to at least partially cure and harden, moving a movable mold part to expose a first cavity defined by inner surfaces of the at least partially cured and hardened molding material, injecting a second mold material into the first cavity, allowing the second molding material to at least partially cure and harden such that the second molding material bonds with the inner surfaces and removing the injection port from the mold.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 575,020, filed May 27, 2004.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Intravenous (“IV”) bags typically include an injection port mounted to one of the walls of the bag that is used as a point of entry to inject medication or other liquids into the IV bag. The injection port is typically constructed of an injection molded, hollow polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) tube with an elastomeric plug mounted to one end of the hollow PVC tube. The plug is mounted at an end of the hollow PVC tube by a shrink band that engages the plug and the hollow tube to hold the plug in position relative to the tube. The PVC tube is mounted to the IV bag such that the plug is facing out of the IV bag. [0003] The typical injection port is constructed by molding the PVC tube, separately molding the plug and placing the plug onto a first end of the hollow PVC tube. The shrink band is then positi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an injection port for an intravenous bag that allows for the safe and secure addition of fluids without compromising the integrity of the bag. The injection port includes a hollow tube with a polymeric plug and is constructed using a molding process. The intravenous bag with the injection port can be used for piercing the bag with a needle to introduce or draw fluid, and the fluid does not leak from the bag through the injection port. The technical effects of the invention include improved safety and efficiency in the addition of fluids to intravenous bags and the prevention of leakage through the injection port.

Problems solved by technology

However, the shrink wrap is prone to damage because it is exposed on an external surface of the injection port and may potentially permit the plug to release from the tube.

In addition, because the plug is inserted into the tube following molding and curing, leaks may potentially form between the external surface of the plug and a mating surface of the tube.

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